The Ultimate Guide to Island-hopping in Croatia

With over 1,000 islands to sail around, Croatia is a true nautical paradise. From awe-inspiring national parks to buzzing nightlife, an island-hopping holiday in Croatia is suitable for all lifestyles. Wondering where to begin? Discover some of the most popular regions for island-hopping in Croatia below.

The Ultimate Guide to Island-hopping in Croatia

Dalmatian Islands

The Dalmatian Islands are the most well-known destination for an island-hopping holiday in Croatia and rightfully so. Located off the coast of the major cities of Split, Trogir and Sukosan, the islands of central Dalmatia offer a variety of activities, festivities and landscapes that are perfect for exploring and arriving to by boat. You’ll be mingling with the jet set on the party island of Hvar one day and then waking up to a secluded beach like Divana on the Pelješac peninsula the next.

Wake up to views like this while island-hopping in Dalmatia.

One of the most popular island-hopping routes in Croatia begins and ends in the historic city of Split. Our 7-day sailing route takes you to some of the most beautiful destinations in Croatia including Korcula, Hvar, and Stari Grad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are a wine lover, you can also rejoice with our expertly crafted route that follows some of Dalmatia’s best vineyards and wineries.

Kornati Islands

The Kornati Islands, a famous nautical playground, have everything a sailor could desire for a dream sailing holiday in Croatia. Also situated off the Dalmatian coast, the otherworldly and uninhabited landscapes that define the Kornati Archipelago make it an ideal place to get away from it all.

Declared a National Park in the 1980’s Kornati offers crystal clear waters and calm bays that are perfect for swimming, snorkelling, diving and, of course, sailing. You’ll find many great spots to drop anchor like Ravni Zakan where you can also find a fantastic restaurant.

If you are looking to rent a motorboat in Dubrovnik for a day or two, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to island-hop at your own leisure in this southern region. Escape the hustle and bustle of Dubrovnik’s historic centre and immerse yourself in the green islands that border the southern coast of Croatia. The Elaphite islands are an ideal place to start your island-hopping adventure. You’ll be met by forest-lined beaches, calm bays and lovely Renaissance buildings throughout the archipelago.

The Elafiti Islands are just a hop away from Dubrovnik and are a perfect destination for a day charter.

If planning a 7-day sailing holiday in Dubrovnik, you can continue on from the Elafiti Islands and discover the larger islands of Korcula and Mljet. The latter, being Croatia’s greenest island. Mljet, which is also protected as a National Park, is perfect for exploring by foot or by bike. Get more tips for touring Mljet in our sailing route from Dubrovnik.

Further north, you’ll find the island of Korcula. Known as “little Dubrovnik”, Korcula Town is definitely worth visiting. Korcula is less crowded than the more popular islands of Brac and Hvar due to less frequent ferries. Fortunately, when you charter a boat or yacht from Dubrovnik, you can easily arrive and depart Korcula on a whim and have a chance to explore more of Dalmatia’s islands.

Zadar Archipelago

Drop anchor in one of Dalmatia’s tranquil bays for a swim or peaceful night’s rest while sailing around the Zadar Archipelago.

From the historic city of Zadar, you can explore the archipelago bearing the same name on your Croatia yacht charter. Leisurely sail to and fro around the peaceful islands, making stops to chill out on quiet islands such as Premuda or Molat. The Zadar Archipelago is steeped in history and culture and remains an excellent area to cultivate wine and olive oil. Experience authentic island life on Iz and savour the flavours of the landscapes in the charming port villages of Muline or Olib. Then sail along and breath in the fresh air and catch the scents of herbs growing on the wild island of Silba. And be sure not to miss Saharun beach, which is one of the most enchanting beaches in Croatia.

Northern Dalmatia

For those craving a bit more excitement and nightlife, northern Dalmatia should be your go-to destination for island-hopping in Croatia. Charter a yacht from the larger ports of Zadar or Mali Losinj and spend a week or weekend hopping around the north-Dalmatian Archipelago. Enjoy the fantastic beaches, wineries, parks and restaurants along the way to the party island of Pag, which has become a trending party island. Pag hosts some of the best open-air clubs and festivals in the Mediterranean. But Pag is not known for its parties, rather, the island is also a dream destination for beach-goers, divers and foodies. So why not try out a night dive on your next holiday?

Party in Pag or spend your yacht holiday soaking in the sun and savouring northern Dalmatia’s local delicacies and wines.

To wrap up your party boat trip in Croatia, we would suggest that you take in the historic sites at Rab. The island is enriched with historical traditions and culture, making it a nice place to unwind before heading back to your yacht charter base in Zadar or Mali Losinj.

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